The Windows 10 Anniversary Update is here, but you will need to install it first to enjoy all the new exciting features. Just like the Windows 10 November Update, Microsoft will be distributing the upgrade through regular channels such as Windows Update and the Media Creation Tool. In this article, we take a look at how to use each method.

What is the Windows 10 Anniversary Update?

The Windows 10 Anniversary Update is the latest revision of Microsoft’s client operating system. It includes numerous improvements such as:

How to install the Windows 10 Anniversary Update

The Windows 10 Anniversary Update is available for PC/Devices running Windows 10 Home, Pro, and Mobile. This Update is not free for everyone; users still running Windows 7 or Windows 8 will need to purchase a full Windows 10 license.

Windows Update

Windows Update is the easiest way to install the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. If you are running Windows 10, 1507 or 1511, click Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update then click Check for Updates. Wait while Windows Update scans for the latest updates. Windows 10 Anniversary Update presents to you as an available update. Wait while the download completes.

Windows Update will prompt you to restart your computer to finish the install. If you are not ready, you can reschedule a time that is suitable.

If you decide to finish the install, Windows 10 will restart your computer then boot into the install environment. Windows 10 Anniversary Update uses a new subtle setup experience, which looks more like a regular Windows Update than a full operating system upgrade. Windows 10 setup will restart several times during this phase of installation.

After installation completes, you are prompted to log into your account. Windows 10 will perform a few last minute chores such as install Windows Updates, Windows Store updates, and configure the operating system.

That’s it; you have now installed Windows 10 Anniversary Update!

You can launch Windows Update then check for additional updates.

Upgrade Now and Media Creation Tool

Microsoft is using a staggered approach to delivering the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. The software firm also delivered Windows 10 November Update in a similar fashion. The Anniversary Update will be available first to systems specifically optimized for Windows 10. Examples include devices with UEFI BIOS, TPM 1.2 and Windows Hello Support. If you are not seeing the Anniversary Update, don’t worry, it will eventually appear; keep checking Windows Update periodically.

If you can’t wait, you can start the upgrade right away by using the Get Windows 10 page. Go to the Get Windows 10 download page, click Upgrade Now then follow the on-screen instructions.

Click ‘Run anyway’ if prompted by the Smart Screen Filter.

Accept the End User License Agreement.

Wait while the Upgrade Assistant checks your device compatibility.

Click Next to begin the upgrade.

Wait while Windows 10 downloads.

When complete, click Start the upgrade now. Your computer will restart and continue to the installation.

ISO Media

Another option available on the Get Windows 10 page is the Media Creation Tool, which is a small application with more detailed options for upgrading. In addition to supporting direct upgrades, if you have multiple computers running Windows 10 or earlier versions; you can use it to create custom bootable media with a mix of Home, Pro, 32 and 64-bit versions.

The Media Creation Tool can create an ISO file containing all editions and architectures of Windows 10 Anniversary Update. An ISO file is a digital replica of a CD or DVD. The ISO file also supports offline upgrades. I recommend this method for upgrades. Select the option, Upgrade this PC now then follow the on-screen instructions. If you choose the option, Create installation media for another PC, you will be prompted to select your language, edition, and architecture.

The Media Creation Tool lets you choose whether you want to create a bootable USB thumb drive or download an ISO, which you can use to create a bootable DVD. Select ISO file, then click Next, choose where you want to save ISO file.

I recommend downloading and installing updates since they can help to ensure the upgrade goes smoothly. If you are not on an Internet connection, then select Not right now then click Next.

Accept the End User License Agreement.

If your computer does not have enough space, see instructions in the Questions and Answer section of this article for what you can do.

Review the summary then make appropriate changes if necessary.

If you want to perform a clean install, click the Choose what to keep link then select Keep nothing. When you are ready, click Install.

The installation might take some time depending on factors such as processor speed, memory, and data set (documents, music, videos, pictures and applications.) Your computer will start several times during installation.

Questions and Answers

What are the system requirements for running the Windows 10 Anniversary Update?

For PCs/Devices already running Windows 10, the Windows 10 Anniversary Update is free. Computers running earlier versions such as Windows 7 or Windows 8 will need to purchase a license.

I am running a premium business edition of Windows such as Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, Windows 8.1 Pro; but I cannot afford the upgrade to Windows 10 Pro. Can I purchase Windows 10 Home and upgrade instead?

You can purchase Windows 10 Home, but you won’t be able to upgrade and preserve your applications and settings, only personal files.

I am past the Windows 10 Free Upgrade deadline, but my upgrade is still in progress.

I get an error saying that I do not have enough space to install Windows 10.

If you have an external hard disk or USB thumb drive with 32 GBs or more free space, connect it then power it on. Click the option Choose another drive or attach an external drive with 10.0 GB available.

Click in the list box then select the drive with 10 GBs or more space. If the storage device does not show up, click Refresh then try again. After selecting, click the Back button.

14 Comments

I’ve been using Windows 10 for nearly a year. The Anniversary update failed to install, put up a “oops we had a problem” screen, which quickly disappeared, and then reinstalled the previous version. I made two attempts. No luck.

I had not received the Anniversary Update (version 1607) by August 3rd 2016 so I downloaded it at the Microsoft website listed below, to a flash drive. After downloading, I opened the flash drive, clicked on the file setup.exe, and the installation began. It took about one hour to complete the update installation. I really like it. I’m glad I performed the update myself because older desktops were not scheduled to be the first updated. I previously had version 1511 that wasn’t updated until May 2, 2016. They take their good time with updating, staggering the process, and prioritizing who gets it first. This has been my experience. And by the way, directly downloading the update to my computer did not work for me. I had to use the ISO file method to a flash drive for it to work for me.

Won’t install on my Surface Book even though I get a screen telling me that my computer meets all qualifications. Error says I need to free up more space, even though I have 23GB available. Tried three times

@Stan. When Win 10 Anniversary installs it also creates a folder called Windows.old, which is a copy of your current operating system and it can be quite large – mine was 16 gigabytes!

It creates this folder just in case you change your mind and want to revert to the earlier version before installing Win 10 Anniversary. Try emptying out more stuff from your laptop until the installer realizes that your computer has enough space.

Never could get enough free space. Got to 25 GB free but still wouldn’t install. Reluctant to remove more stuff, so went the Media Creation Tool on flash drive route. Surprisingly, Edge wouldn’t download the tool, but Chrome had no issues. Enjoying the update!

Thanks! Very helpful and very well explained. You are appreciated by this old country boy!
I have the MCT on a 16GB flash and I plan on installing the upgrade latter!
I will of course create a back up image of my OS before attempting the upgrade!
PS Keep up the good work my friend!

I cannot update because there’s incompatibility between Samsung Easy Settings and Windows 10 on my laptop. There was no problem between the two since I upgraded to Windows 10 a few months ago until a couple of days ago when the update told me it was going to remove Samsung Recovery Solution and when it was going to remove Samsung Easy Settings it got stuck there unable to remove it. Now it is asking me to do it myself and I have no idea how to do that professionally. No external program works nor trying to uninstall it from Control Panel.

Neither Microsoft nor Samsung seem to address the problem and are leaving clients with this unsolvable trouble.

I bought my laptop before 2013 with Windows 7 i update it to Windows 10 version 1511 , microsoft customer care services says i cant update to anniversary update as my laptop is too old . It will not compatible with anniversary update 1607
Cant i install it on my laptop